12/07/2019 14:51

Running a business is blooming hard.

Aside from the invaluable work experience and countless lessons about small ways to help save the environment, this is what I have learnt in my far too short 100 hours interning at Lotus Maternity. And being a woman in business brings its own unique set of challenges.

From disasters with ale taps (Olivia’s idea of a *small* glass of beer is to almost flood the room!), to factory trips, to careers presentations, no two hours, let alone two days, are the same. Working in a start-up means teaching yourself to become proficient in innumerable and diverse sides of business. Passion and a true belief in the importance and usefulness of your products aren’t enough – you have to be willing to put in the hours to master every business-related skill imaginable, to make connections with everyone and anyone (especially the tech guys next door – very helpful when coding for your website has you stumped!), and to use every ounce of your creative energy dreaming up new and ingenious marketing methods.

*Myself and Olivia at the office summer BBQ, shortly after the accidental flooding with the difficulty turning off the cask ale tap!

I’m sure by this point you’re thinking: ‘this is all very interesting, but what does this have to do with a maternity blog?’. Firstly, thank you for considering my article interesting! Secondly (and on a more serious note), look at it this way: neither I nor Olivia, founder of Lotus Maternity and my wonderful boss for the last four weeks, have children, nor are either of us intending to have children anytime soon. I have seen first-hand the incredible amount of effort, time and commitment that Olivia puts in to her company, and can’t imagine how difficult it would be to juggle this alongside looking after children.

30/03/2018 18:00

A small introduction to part of the story behind ‘Made in the UK’, that is so much more than a statement of origin.

As part of the social media campaign for ‘March Meet The Maker’ I wanted to start showing more of the behind the scenes work that goes into Lotus Maternity’s premium, unique and UK made nursing wear. So I decided to take a visit to The Nottingham Label Company because I’m having some new materials made there, for an exciting product launch coming soon!

I have always used this printing company for our garment’s wash care labels but never realised or seen how they are actually made. In the past I have placed my order, approved the artwork and received the goods, so this was a truly eye-opening experience.

I was so surprised by the volume of work that goes into making garment labels and printing in general! I was there nearly 2 hours, learning and taking it all in and having a laugh too (that goes without saying!) It was described to me as a ‘Tardis’ and it’s safe to say you truly would not expect the size of the factory or the abundance of machinery, as well as all the highly skilled operators and years of craftsmanship behind the office doors.

It can only be compared to that of Narnia, whereby you open a set of doors and there’s a whole other world inside!